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Wrong for the Bench

In his May 10 column, William Safire described Representative Christopher Cox, Republican of California, as ''temperate and judicious'' and deserving of a lifetime judgeship. That description hardly fits Mr. Cox, who wrote part of Newt Gingrich's Contract With America.

He gets the highest rating from Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition and the National Rifle Association. He gets the lowest ratings from Planned Parenthood, environmental groups and the American Public Health Association.

President Bush said he would govern from the center. I believed him. Mr. Cox is nowhere near the center.

Mr. Safire seems angry that I have already stated my opposition to a Cox nomination. Clearly, I could have allowed Representative Cox, with whom I have a good relationship, to wonder about my views. As a senator, I owe a straightforward response to the administration, to Mr. Cox and to the Californians who sent me to Washington to represent them and to fight for their rights.